Shelf light bracket connector system

ABSTRACT

A shelf arrangement has an electrical connector which is disposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements of a shelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured to be received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; and a contact strip which is disposed with the vertical support bracket and which has electrical connection features that are engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the mechanical connection elements are inserted into the openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shelves which are equippedwith lighting fixtures for the purposes of displaying articles, booksand the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to aconnector system which enables electrical connections to be simply andeasily established at the same time as the shelves are set into place.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Today, shelves incorporating discrete lighting fixtures eitherunderneath (to illuminate a lower shelf) or on the side of thecompartment, are in wide use. However, with such shelf arrangements,electrical wiring must be connected between the lighting fixtures whichare incorporated into the shelves and a power outlet/socket or the like.In the event of shelf removal and/or shelf locationchange/rearrangement, the electrical wiring must be separatelydisconnected and reconnected. This of course is, in the case of even amoderate number of shelves, both laborious and time consuming.

While there are many different types of shelves in use, one type ofshelving system utilize elongate, vertically extending rail-like supportbrackets with slotted holes/openings, which are located at the rear ofthe cabinet or shelf, to receive, position and anchor the bifurcatedends of the shelf brackets which support the shelves per se. Theanchoring is usually accomplished using the cantilevered weight of theshelf itself which works in conjunction with a “locking tab” on the endof the shelf brackets. Removal is accomplished simply by lifting thefront of the shelf upward to disengage the locking tab on the shelfbracket and pulling the shelf forward.

Repositioning involves the reversal of this process. The shelf is tippeddown in back and the locking tab is inserted into one of the slottedholes, then the shelf is lowered into position.

This type of arrangement, which is often referred to as a “cantileverrack”, is readily assembled/dissembled, however again suffers from thedrawback that when shelf lighting is required, such as in the case wheregoods and products are displayed in a supermarket for example, thelighting elements and wiring must be separately and often painstakinglyconnected to the shelf.

In addition, the wiring is, in some instances, difficult to conceal.Further, particularly where the general public is concerned, it isundesirable for an individual (i.e. a layperson) who is not qualified tohandle electrical wiring, to install the shelf and to safely make theseparate electrical connections which are necessary for the desiredlighting, even in the case of low voltage lighting such as that whichuses LED as a light source.

Accordingly, there is a need for a lighted shelving system whichincorporates lighting connection elements into the shelf itself, butwhich maintains the same utility and ease of operation as theabove-mentioned commercially available non-lighted shelves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a solution to the above-mentionedproblem of separate connections for power to shelving lightstrips/fixtures, and are such as to utilize conventional verticallyextending rails/support brackets such as those which, by way of example,have a channel configuration and therefore an essentially a U-shapedcross section.

Embodiments of the invention are also suited for use with low voltagelighting circuits like those incorporating LED's (light emitting diodes)as the light source. However, the invention is in no way limited to thistype of illumination and both fluorescent and incandescent lighting arealso possible.

One embodiment incorporates an insulator which fits into the rear of thevertical channel support bracket or rail element of the shelvingstructure and encloses therein a shaped, electrically conductive contactstrip. This insulator can be molded in a manner that permits the contactstrip to snap into place or, alternatively foldable so that the contactstrip to be placed in position and the insulator folded about the stripto enclose the same and thus facilitate production of the arrangement.

In given embodiments, the contact strip is designed and fabricated suchthat pairs of opposing spring tabs appear at each slotted window openingin the vertical support brackets and thus function as the femaleconnection features of an electrical connection.

In one embodiment of the contact strip there are openings which areconfigured to allow for mounting/fastening screws to pass therethrough.The openings are configured to avoid the screws, or the like type offastening devices, coming into electrical contact with any portion ofthe conductive sections of the strip in a manner which might invite anelectrical short circuit.

At least one embodiment of the invention also incorporates a uniquefolded electrically conductive clip-like male contact which installs ona rear edge of a locking tab provided on the shelf bracket. This foldedcontact can be made of any electrically conductive material, but isusually made of metal (e.g. a copper alloy) due to its ease offabrication and use. Disposed between the shelf bracket locking tab andthe clip (as it will be referred for the ease of disclosure) is a layerof electrically insulating material. In one embodiment, this insulatorcan be an adhesive tape or a material having a similar high dielectricvalue.

The clip on the locking tab of the shelf bracket has provision forconnection to a lead wire, which in some embodiments is incorporated inthe shelf itself by various means such as molding, a sealed channel,etc. This lead wire is used to provide an electrical connection with alight fixture which is mounted on, or is an integral part of the shelf.

In as much as the contact strips are disposed within structural elementswhich comprise the shelving, the use of this type of connection,obviates/eliminates accidental contact with the wiring

In at least one embodiment of the invention, in order to complete theelectrical circuit which is necessary to energize the light in the lightfixture, pairs of vertical support brackets each incorporate a contactstrip and their respective insulators. One contact strip is connected tothe positive terminal of the power supply and the other is connected tothe negative terminal. The folded metal contacts establish electricalconnection with the strips. The lead wires which are connected to thefolded metal contacts complete the electrical circuit of the light withthe two strips.

In other words, the vertical support brackets or rails are positionedparallel to one another and are selectively spaced in accordance withtheir intended use and to permit the shelf brackets to be readilyengaged therewith. One of the vertical support bracket connector strips(of a pair) is wired to a positive voltage. The other is wired to anegative voltage (or ground) to provide a return path for the electricalcircuit. This negative connection is normally isolated from the chassisground. However, the chassis ground can, of course, be used if sodesired.

Installing the wired shelf in exactly the same manner as an unwiredshelf will result in the shelf bracket clips engaging with the contactstrips but only once inside the vertical support brackets, thuscompleting the electrical circuit necessary to enable the shelf lightsto be illuminated.

Removal of the wired shelf, in exactly the same fashion as the unwiredshelf, will cause the circuit to break and repositioning the shelf willcause the circuit to reactivate. The shelf lights may or may not have aseparate off/on switch.

As the vertical support brackets are such that the contact strips arerecessed, it is not possible for anyone to accidentally come intocontact with the applied voltage. In addition, as these vertical supportbrackets are installed usually 18 inches or more apart, the possibilityof anyone inadvertently bridging them with anything other than theshelves as intended, is extremely low.

The contact clips on the ends of the shelf brackets are exposed when theshelf is removed, but they are not “live” until in contact with thecontact strips within the vertical support brackets. In addition, theirplacement and the incorporation of the wire into the shelf itselffurther attenuates the possibility of anyone accidentally touching any“live” surface.

When the shelves are installed, the contact clips on the shelf bracketsengage the contact strips within the vertical support brackets but onlyafter they have entered the folded insulator and are no longeraccessible to touch.

More specifically, a first aspect of the invention resides in a shelfarrangement comprising: an electrical connector which is positioned onone or a plurality of mechanical connection elements of a shelf bracketwherein the connection elements are configured to be received inopenings formed in a vertical support bracket; and a contact strip whichis disposed with the vertical support bracket and which has electricalconnection features that are engageable with the electrical connector toestablish an electrical connection therebetween when the mechanicalconnection elements are inserted into the openings.

In the above type of arrangement the electrical connector can comprise aclip which engages a rear edge portion of a mechanical connectionelement of the shelf bracket. The clip in this case can be electricallyinsulated from the shelf bracket by a layer of insulating material. Thislayer of insulating material can, in given embodiments, comprise a stripof insulating material which is adhered to the rear edge portion of theshelf bracket.

A lighting arrangement can be connected to the electrical connector viathe provision of a portion of the clip which extends out either parallelto or at angle with respect to the rear edge portion of the shelfbracket.

In an embodiment of the invention the contact strip is elongate andenclosed in an insulating contact housing which electrically insulatesthe contact strip from the vertical support bracket. This insulatingcontact housing can be configured to enclose the contact strip and toprovide a passage through which the electrical connector must passbefore contact with the contact strip occurs. Of course the passage isconfigured to align with an opening in the vertical support bracket.

In an embodiment of the insulating contact housing, the housing isflexible to the degree that the contact strip can be disposed inposition on the housing while unfolded and the insulating contacthousing then folded about the contact strip to form a member which canbe disposed in the vertical support bracket.

A second aspect of the invention resided in a shelf arrangementcomprising: first and second contact strips respectively disposed withfirst and second vertical support brackets which vertical supportbrackets are each adapted to be secured in an essentially verticalorientation, the first contact strip being adapted for connection with afirst electrical terminal and second contact strip being adapted forconnection with a second electrical terminal; and first and secondelectrical connectors connected with first and second shelf bracketswhich respectively have connection elements configured to engage withconnection features formed in the first and second vertical supportbrackets, the first and second electrical connectors being adapted forelectrical connection with a source of light and further configured tocontact the first and second contact strips to establish an electricalconnection with the first and second electrical terminals, through thefirst and second contact strips respectively.

A third aspect of the invention resides in a method of connecting shelfillumination comprising: disposing an electrical connector on a shelfbracket that has mechanical connection elements which are configured tobe received in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; anddisposing a contact strip with the vertical support bracket andarranging the contract strip to have electrical connection features thatare engageable with the electrical connector to establish an electricalconnection therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the inventionwill become more clearly appreciated as a detailed description thereofis given with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shelf bracket which is provided with anelectrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan of the shelf element depicted in FIG. 1,illustrating the manner in which a portion of the electrical connectorcan be angled to facilitate its connection with lighting which isincorporated into the shelf bracket;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the portion of FIG. 1 which is enclosed incircle A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view which depicts a contact stripwhich cooperates with the electrical connectors that are provided on theshelf brackets in the manner depicted in FIGS. 1-3, and which furtherdepicts the manner in which it cooperates with an electricallyinsulative contact housing that can be folded thereabout;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view depicting the manner in which thecontact housing (containing the contact strip illustrated in FIG. 4) isarranged/assembled with a vertical support bracket of the shelf;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view depicting the manner in which aninsulating strip is adhered to the self element in a manner whichinsulates the connector, which in this embodiment takes the form of acontact clip, from the shelf bracket proper;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view depicting a shelf bracket disposed in aposition suitable for interconnection with a vertical support bracket;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a shelf bracket engaged in avertical support bracket in a manner wherein electrical connectionbetween the connector on the shelf bracket and the connector stripincorporated into the vertical support bracket, is established;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the section of FIG. 8 which isenclosed in circle B, and which illustrates the manner in which thelighting elements on the shelf bracket are connected to the connectorclip by way of a plug which is provided at the end of the lead line;

FIG. 10A is a top plan view as seen down the open end of the verticallyextending support bracket in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along section line 10B-10B of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view depicting the manner in which the shelf bracketengages in the vertical support bracket and simultaneously produces theelectrical connection with facilitates the illumination of the lowershelves;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting the manner in which pairs ofconnector strips are arranged to form part of an electrical circuit inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment wherein arefrigerator is provided with illuminated shelving such as typified bythe embodiments illustrated in the preceding figures and which has anillumination level control which allows for dimming of the illuminationunder predetermined conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A shelf bracket 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is providedwith a male electrical connection feature in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, thiselectrical connection feature takes the form of a clip 200, which isfitted onto a rear edge of the shelf bracket. To insulate the clip 200from the electrically conductive material of the shelf bracket 100, alayer of electrically insulative tape 202 (see FIG. 3) is providedbetween the clip 200 and the shelf bracket 100. To facilitateproduction/assembly, this tape 202 can be adhesive either one or bothsides and is arranged in the manner best appreciated from FIG. 6.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the invention are not limitedto the use of clips of the nature illustrated and that other forms ofelectrical contact can be used without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention.

To appropriately locate the clip 200 and the tape 202 on the rear edgeof the shelf bracket 100 and/or assist in maintaining the clip 200 inits intended position, the rear edge of the shelf bracket 100 can benotched/indented such as indicated at 101. The clip 200, in theillustrated embodiment, has an angled free end portion 201 which isconfigured to extend away from the side of the shelf bracket 100 in themanner depicted in FIG. 1. This angled portion 201 facilitates theconnection with a plug 220P provided at the end of a lead wire 220 inthe manner best seen in FIG. 9.

It should be noted, however, that it is also possible to arrange thefree end portion 201 of the clip 200 so as to be parallel to the shelfbracket as different from being angled in the illustrated manner, or beconstructed so that the lead wire 220 is connected directly to the clipsuch as by soldering or the like and thus obviate the need for the plug220P.

The lead wire 220 leads to a lighting fixture, schematically illustratedin FIG. 12 at 410, which can be supported on or incorporated into ashelf member (not shown) and/or the shelf brackets which support theshelf. This lead wire establishes part of an electrical circuit which isnecessary for the illumination of the shelf which is located below, aswill become apparent from a discussion of FIG. 12 herein later.

A contact strip 250 is, in this embodiment, provided with a plurality offemale electrical connection features 252. These connection features 252are each configured to cooperate with a contact clip 200 and are spacedso as to permit the shelf brackets 100 to be located in any of aplurality of selected shelf-locating positions provided for in each ofthe vertical extending support brackets 150.

In this embodiment, each contact strip 250 is arranged to extend along aspace within the interior of a vertically extending support bracket orrail 150. In this instance, the vertically extending support brackets150 each take the form of channel members which each have an essentiallyU-shaped cross-section. This configuration facilitates the readydisposition of the contact strips in position in the support brackets.

To insulate the contact strips 250 from the respective support brackets150, each strip 250 is enclosed in an electrically insulating housing251. The contact strip 250, as best seen in FIG. 4, has a castled typeof configuration wherein pairs of clip-like electrical connectionfeatures 252 are provided at predetermined intervals along its length.Each strip 250 is arranged to be connected with a source of electricalpower. This connection can be at one end or at a location between itsends. The manner in which the strips 250 are connected with the sourceof electrical power will be described in more detail herein later withreference to FIG. 12.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the contact strip 250 can be formed with openings250A to facilitate the passage of fastening elements such as screws.These openings 250A are configured to prevent any short-circuiting andcan, in certain embodiments, be formed in a non-conductive portion ofthe contact strip 250 or isolated from the screws or the like via theuse of insulating grommets or the like. As an alternative, a strip ofdual sided adhesive tape (not shown) can be placed along the rear of thecontact strip and used to hold it in place in the insulating housing251.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating housing 251 takes the formof a foldable member which, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, isconfigured to receive the contact strip and to fold about the strip 250in a manner which, as best seen in FIGS. 10A and 10B, is such as toentirely enclose it in a manner that the springy clip-like femaleconnection features 252, which resiliently engage the sides of a maleconnection clip 200, are totally encased. This prevents connectionfeatures 252 from accidentally coming into contact with anything but thecontact clip 200 which is inserted through one of the tunnel-likeports/entrances 253 that are defined by the folded housing. As will beappreciated each of the ports/entrances 253 is appropriately exposed viathe openings (connection features) 150P provided in the verticallyextending support bracket or rails for the purposes of receiving andsupportingly engaging with the shelf brackets 100.

In as much as the configuration and interaction of the mechanicalconnection features/elements 102, 103, 104 and 150P which enable theillustrated shelf bracket(s) to be connected/disconnected from thevertically extending support bracket(s), are known per se, a detailedexplanation of the same will be omitted for the sake of brevity. Sufficeit to say, that mechanical connection features 102, 103 and 104 arearranged to cooperate with openings 150P in the manner that will be bestappreciated from FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 depicts, in schematic form, a circuit arrangement via which theshelf lighting can be operatively connected with a source of electricalpower 400. This source 400 can be either AC or DC or rectified AC. Forexample, the lighting fixture 410, while not being specifically limitedthereto, can take the form of LED lighting or the like. Of coursefluorescent and/or incandescent lighting can alternatively be used. Themanner in which the lighting fixture 410 is connected to the shelves perse, which are supported by the shelf brackets, is not shown. However, anexample of such type of lighting/fixtures can be found in U.S. Pat. No.6,179,434 issued in the name of Saraiji on Jan. 30, 2001. The content ofthis patent is hereby incorporated by reference thereto. A furtherexample of a lighting fixture can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,021issued in the name of Cok on Aug. 3, 2004. The content of this referenceis also incorporated by reference thereto.

In the circuit arrangement depicted in FIG. 12 it is possible, in themanner schematically indicated, to include switches such as switch 412to control the lights individually, or a switch 414 which cuts off powerto the whole circuit or both. As will be appreciated, either of theseswitches can be arranged to be responsive to the closure of a door sucha refrigerator door, timer or the like, as deemed necessary inaccordance with the disposition and use of the shelves.

Advantages of the Above Disclosed Embodiments

The embodiments of the invention as described above are such as toprovide:

-   -   1) A simple means of installing/removing shelves to/from        brackets installed in appliances; display shelving; bookcases        and the like.    -   2) A safe connection/disconnection system for shelving which        needs to be illuminated.    -   3) An efficient method of manufacturing a lighting        connect/disconnect system adapts existing hardware and/or        existing hardware designs with minor modification.    -   4) A method for installing/removing lighted shelving which is        essentially the same as a conventional non-lighted shelf.    -   5) A shelf lighting connect/disconnect system which can be used        with nearly any voltage depending on the physical size necessary        to accommodate the voltage and current requirements.    -   6) A shelf lighting connect/disconnect system wherein the        electrical contacts are such as to be “buried” when the shelves        are in place and therefore not accessible to accidental human        contact.    -   7) An easily implemented connection system for low voltage, low        current LED lighting sources.    -   8) An easy connection system for shelving which allows the        lighting fixture to be an integral part of the shelf and not an        add-on accessory.

A further embodiment of the invention resides in refrigerator 500wherein the shelf/connection arrangement which has been described above,is used to provide illuminated shelving therein. In this arrangement adoor 501 of the refrigerator is operatively connected with the switch4121 and arranged so that when the door is closed the switch 4121 isopened and the light 410 is de-energized.

This embodiment further includes a timer/rheostat control circuit 502.In accordance with this embodiment, the timer/rheostat control circuit502 is arranged to be programmable/set so that during night hours, suchas from midnight to 4.00 am for example, the amount of current which issupplied to the light fixture 410 is reduced or other wise modified sothat the level of illumuniation which occurs when the refrigerator door501 is opened, is reduced as compared with the normal level ofillumuniation which is used during daylight hours or when the room inwhich the refrigerator is disposed, is expected to be fully/brightlyilluminated.

This illumination level control is such that should someone arise in themiddle of the night and go to the refrigerator for a cold beverage orthe like, the level of illumination which occurs when the door is openedwill not produce momentary eye discomfort to the person looking into theinterior of refrigerator and the items which are disposed on theilluminated shelves.

Although only a limited number of embodiments of the present inventionhave been described above, the various modifications and variationswhich can be implemented, will be, given the preceding disclosure, selfevident to the person skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains or most closely pertains. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is limited only by the appended claims.

1. A shelf arrangement comprising: an electrical connector which isdisposed with one of a plurality of mechanical connection elements of ashelf bracket wherein the connection elements are configured to bereceived in openings formed in a vertical support bracket; and a contactstrip which is disposed with the vertical support bracket and which haselectrical connection features that are engageable with the electricalconnector to establish an electrical connection therebetween when themechanical connection elements are inserted into the openings.
 2. Theshelf arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electricalconnector comprises a clip which engages a rear edge portion of amechanical connection element of the shelf bracket, the clip beingelectrically insulated from the shelf bracket by a layer of insulatingmaterial.
 3. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein themechanical connection element of the shelf bracket on which theelectrical connector is disposed, comprises a locking tab which isconfigured to be inserted through the openings formed in the verticalsupport bracket
 4. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 2,wherein a lighting arrangement is connected to the electrical connectorvia a portion of the clip which extends out at angle with respect to therear edge portion of the shelf bracket.
 5. The shelf arrangement as setforth in claim 2, wherein the layer of insulating material comprises astrip of insulating material which is adhered or press fit to the rearedge portion of the shelf bracket.
 6. The shelf arrangement as set forthin claim 1, wherein the contact strip is elongate and is enclosed in aninsulating contact housing which electrically insulates the contactstrip from the vertical support bracket.
 7. The shelf arrangement as setforth in claim 6, wherein the insulating contact housing is configuredto enclose the contact strip and to provide a passage through which theelectrical connector must pass before contact with the contact stripoccurs.
 8. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein thepassage is configured to align with an opening in the vertical supportbracket.
 9. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein theinsulating contact housing is flexible to the degree that the contactstrip can be disposed in position and the insulating contact housingfolded about the contact strip to form a member which can be disposed inthe vertical support bracket.
 10. The shelf arrangement as set forth inclaim 6, wherein the insulating contact housing is molded and configuredsuch that the contact strip snap fits into position upon being pressedinto position.
 11. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 4,wherein the lighting arrangement comprises a plurality of LED (lightemitting diodes).
 12. The shelf arrangement as set forth in claim 4,wherein the shelf arrangement is disposed in a refrigerator and thelighting arrangement is responsive to the opening of the door and isfurther responsive to a circuit which limits the level of illuminationby the lighting arrangement under predetermined conditions.
 13. A shelfarrangement comprising: first and second contact strips respectivelydisposed with first and second vertical support brackets which verticalsupport brackets are each adapted to be secured in an essentiallyvertical orientation, the first contact strip being adapted forconnection with a first electrical terminal and second contact stripbeing adapted for connection with a second electrical terminal; andfirst and second electrical connectors connected with first and secondshelf brackets which respectively have connection elements configured toengage with connection features formed in the first and second verticalsupport brackets, the first and second electrical connectors beingadapted for electrical connection with a source of light and furtherconfigured to contact the first and second contact strips to establishan electrical connection with the first and second electrical terminals,through the first and second contact strips respectively.
 14. A methodof connecting shelf illumination comprising: disposing an electricalconnector on a shelf bracket that has connection elements which areconfigured to be received in openings formed in a vertical supportbracket; and disposing a contact strip with the vertical support bracketand arranging the contract strip to have electrical connection featuresthat are engageable with the electrical connector to establish anelectrical connection therebetween.
 15. The method as set forth in claim14, further comprising: enclosing the contact strip in an insulatinghousing; disposing the insulating housing and contact strip with thevertical support bracket; arranging the insulating housing to havingentrances which correspond to openings formed in the vertical supportbracket; and configuring the entrances to receive the electricalconnector and guide it into electrical contact with the contact strip.16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising configuringthe insulating housing to be foldable so that the contact strip can bedisposed on the insulating housing and the insulating housing foldedover on the contact strip to enclose the same.
 17. The method as setforth in claim 15, further comprising: connecting a first contact stripto a first terminal of a source of electrical energy; disposing thefirst contact strip in a first insulating housing; disposing the firstinsulating housing in a first vertical support bracket; connecting asecond contact strip to a second terminal of a source of electricalenergy; disposing the second contact strip in a second insulatinghousing; disposing the second insulating housing in a second verticalsupport bracket; connecting a first electrical connector on a firstshelf bracket to a first lead wire associated with a light fixture;connecting a second electrical connector on a second shelf bracket to asecond lead wire associated with the light fixture; and inserting thefirst and second electrical connectors into contact with the first andsecond contact strips respectively by inserting mechanical connectionelements on the first and second shelf brackets respectfully intoopenings in the first and second vertical support brackets whichopenings are adapted to facilitate connection of the mechanicalconnection features to the vertical support brackets.